July 15, 2011

Howdy, DC!

My family and I have been in Austin, TX since fall 2009, but I'm grateful to have remained so connected to Washington and to you all - thanks to the magic of the Interwebs, my ongoing consulting work with DC clients, and old-fashioned visits.

The Revised 2nd Edition of the DC BABY book (November 2008) is still available from Amazon.com - and right here. It's also still selling at DC-area bookstores, and is available for purchase as an e-book. (Looks nice on Kindle!)

We can also now connect on DC BABY's Facebook page, where I'll be sharing favorite events and resources, as well as updates to book content. In time the page will grow into a hub for DC moms and dads to share info and support. So come check it out, and say hello. I'd love to hear from you.

July 29, 2009

Last love letter to Washington

Tomorrow morning I'll be on a plane to Texas with my children. Between now and then we have the dreaded, inevitably tearful goodbyes with our our dear friends, their son (our daughter's best pal and pseudo-sibling), and the beloved caregiver who has been part of our family for the past four+ years. Ava and I were already in tears this morning. It's that kind of day.

I hate goodbyes more than the average person, I think. Maybe it's because I'm a child of divorce, but they just kill me. But I need to formally, finally thank you all for reading this blog, for buying my books, for lending your tips and input over the years. I will miss this work, and I wish all the very best to you and your families. I appreciate the way you helped make DC BABY a success.

As for DC itself. This has been my second stint calling it home, and I still say this city is a knockout. It's like no other on earth. I'll miss the thrill of driving across the Memorial Bridge toward the white columns of the Lincoln, with the sun bouncing off the Potomac and the breeze blowing through my open windows. I'll miss Eastern Market on a Saturday morning, and cheering on the bagpipers on the streets of Old Town at Christmas. I'll miss riding the metro and showing off our museums to out-of-towners. I'll miss the politicos and their politics. I'll miss knowing Ben's Chili Bowl is 15 minutes away. I'll miss spring's big blooms and winter's whiteness, and the reds and oranges of fall. I will miss calling it "mine."

July 28, 2009

Where will you turn? Here's where!

This one's for all of you who have (very kindly) written to me about your dismay that the DCB blog will no longer be updated after my move to Austin (now less than 2 days away).

While it's genuinely gratifying to know that what I've spent the past four+ years working on has been useful and well-liked... and while I will miss you, too... I just want to let you know that there's no shortage of other web-based resources for parents in the DC metro area. Each has its own style. Browse around and find some that suit you. Here are some of our favorite online parenting resources with a local focus - several of which are also featured in my book:

Our-Kids.com
The champion, gold-star resource. Can't say enough good things. Love the free website and love the weekly subscription e-newsletter even more. Worth EVERY penny, and then some. Local mom-owned and mom-staffed.

Feel free to post info about your own favorite online resource for DC-area parents in the "comments." And I challenge and encourage any of you who are toying w/ the idea of starting your own blog, or establishing your own listserv, to fill the info gaps: You can do it! All it takes is one mama (or daddy) with a good idea, who is willing to follow through and be patient while it grows. If you start it, they will come. They really will.

July 27, 2009

Save the date: Great Zucchini back @ the Avalon

Later this month, one of our personal favorites, The Great Zucchini, will return to the Avalon Theatre on Connecticut Ave. for an all-ages show. August 29th at 10 a.m. Also performing: Barry the Magician.

Last time Zucchini performed at the Avalon, it sold out in advance, so be sure to get your tickets well ahead of time if you'd like to catch the show.

And, especially if you're among the yet uninitiated, check out this fun Great Zucchini video with your kids. Believe it or not, preschoolers and kindergarteners go wild with laughter at this stuff in a live, group setting! It's infectious.

July 24, 2009

Weekend Watch: Hot fun in the summertime, in Silver Spring

TONIGHT in downtown Silver Spring, check out "Rock & Romp," with kid-friendly live music, face painting and temp tattoos. Not to mention those big fountains spraying high throughout the evening, for little ones with swimsuits and towels who want to cool off. It happens 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on the plaza, as part of the ongoing "Friday Night Spotlight" series.

Tonight's lineup hosts indie rock bands playing a family-oriented gig that encourages kids get into the groove on the dance floor. You can also plan to bring a picnic dinner, or grab food from any of a number of takeout restaurants on the plaza.

As for me and mine, our last weekend in DC will be spent furiously packing (and all that goes along with it), with our move to Austin looming the end of next week. (Sob. We miss you already, Washington.)

July 23, 2009

Wings of Fancy @ Brookside Gardens

We love recommending this every year, because it's one of those outings that brings little ones such joy: Brookside Gardens(in Montgomery County, MD's Wheaton Regional Park) is hosting its "Wings of Fancy"event, with more than 30 species of Asian, North American, and Costa Rican butterflies in flight in a beautiful setting.

You can catch this exhibit 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, through September 20. Cost is $6 for adults, $3 for ages three to 12, and babies/toddlers under age three get in free. You can call their "butterfly hotline" for more info: 301.962.1453.

July 22, 2009

New consignment & eco-friendly boutique in Columbia, MD

Good news for Marylanders in or near Columbia: A new children's and maternity consignment boutique, Greenberries, opens next month, with a celebration event and special sales on Saturday, August 22.

Greenberries carries maternity and newborn through size 8, as well as baby accessories. They also stock a selected lineup of brand-new, eco-friendly and organic gifts, such as wooden toys, cards, bags for mom, safe bottles and baby gear. And the store has a small play area for children, to make your shopping experience a little easier.

Nina's Closet (1017 King St., @ Henry St.) is celebrating an anniversary with a range of markdowns on their sweet, traditional clothing and accessories. (Don't know if they're marked down, but our favorite purchase here was a pair of the Pipsqueeks shoes for our daughter when she was a new walker.)

And, Pink & Brown's summer sale runs now through July 31st, with 25 percent off ALL summer clothing.

If you're needing something boutique-y special, now's the time to find it at a reasonable price. Happy shopping!

July 17, 2009

Weekend Watch: Summer Safari in Gaithersburg

The best ticket of the weekend is the second annual Summer Safari family concert and festival, Saturday from 2 to 6 p.m. at the City Hall Concert Pavilion in Gaithersburg - with live shows from our family's favorite, Recess Monkey (from Seattle), and local kids' band Rocknocerus and Sirius XM's Robbie Schaefer.

You can also expect: mini-carnival, petting zoo, face painting, balloons, crafts and games, food, and lots of vendors. This event was a HUGE success last year, and I expect will be even better the second time around.

If by chance you can't make it to the festival... you have one more chance to take your kids to a Recess Monkey live show, Saturday at 11 a.m. at Jammin' Java in Vienna, VA. We caught them there on last summer's tour and have been listening to their CDs... including the rockin' newest one... ever since. Get your tix advance tix on Jammin' Java's website.

July 16, 2009

New play space in NoVa

I'm happy to help spread the news that there's a new play space in Reston, VA!

The independent, locally-owned and operated At Play Cafe is an indoor play area for young children, coffee shop for parents, and preschool classroom all in one. Best of all, if you ask me, is the fact that the play area is supervised by qualified staff, so parents can meet to enjoy a cup of coffee, conversation with a friend, or just a few minutes of well-deserved off-duty time.